Take a moment and draw.
You can capture a subject with a camera lens, or bring it home by traveling through it with your eye, noting color, value, placements, edges, depth, overlapping elements, line quality, shape, contrasts, and tonality, fades, progressions, blends, textures, intensities and brush contacts, pushes and rotations. In capturing a subject you can 1) aim for verisimilitude (often blocking some freedoms of invention/intention) or 2) you can use the subject as a jumping-off point for tactile discovery, playing with the elements and principles of design.
Explore papers, for one thing.
Notice that the same watercolor hues will look different depending on the painting surface. A non-archival paper such as those made with sulphites and other additives will diminish the intensity of your pigments. An archival 100% rag paper will give you more accurate color representation, especially if it’s handmade. And the natural texture makes a huge difference. Pa…
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